Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

CAMDEN — Elinorjane “Jane” Dowling Green was born April 6, 1919, in St. Louis, Mo., to Helen Held Dowling and Thomas Andrew Dowling. Jane went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Sept. 2, 2019. She thoroughly enjoyed her 100th birthday this past April with family and friends.

She was a longtime member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Camden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Green, sisters Mary Victor and Helen B. Rohlman, granddaughter Kimberly Jane Green, daughter-in-law Regina Green and son-in-law David Bryant.

Jane is survived by sons, Bobby Green of Camden and Tommy Green and wife Stacia, also of Camden; daughters Susan Bryant of Fayetteville, Mary Jane Evins and husband Robert of El Dorado and Gin Foster and husband Phil of Camden; grandchildren Joe and Susie Bryant, Jeanne and Ken Helms, Cathey and Scotty Roberts, Charles Green, Cindy and Scott Harrington, Kris Green, Nathan Green and Luis Gonzalez, Nick and Elaine Green, Jason and Amber Evins, Jennifer and John Bishop, Jonathan Evins and fiancee Morgan Shumate, Whitney and Taylor Moore, Cameron and Matt Machen and Chase and Corbin Foster; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Mother was lovingly called Meemaw by all of her grandchildren and great-grands. Jane also leaves behind her dear friend, Mattie Upton.

Jane married the love of her life, Charlie Green, on Feb. 14, 1942. Charlie and Jane moved to Camden in 1946 for what Jane thought would be one year while Charlie learned the sawmill business. Although she cried every day that year wanting to return to St. Louis, she grew to love Camden where she and Charlie raised their family. After Charlie died in 1974, Jane worked as a bookkeeper at the Camden Country Club and Freer’s dress shop.

Jane loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. She kept record books of every game with detailed statistics. Jane and her friend, O’Dell Bartlett, would call each other during the games and discuss the players, the outs, the pitching and the score. She was such an avid fan that you really did not want to call or visit her while the “Cards” were on TV or the radio.

Jane was an excellent bridge player and a member of several bridge clubs. She was also a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary. She enjoyed knitting and needlepoint and sewed many of her daughters’ clothes while they were growing up. She also loved history, reading, and crossword puzzles, especially The New York Times crossword puzzle which she worked in ink!

Her vocabulary and knowledge of the stock market were second to none, and her memory was unbelievable as she would recall events of family or friends or remember names when no one else could, even up to a few months ago. Her family loved to laugh about the fact they could not remember things or names, but if you asked Meemaw, she would surely remember! Mother’s strong faith in God through the Catholic Church and love for her family was known to all who knew her.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Parish Hall. Funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her eight grandsons. Father William Burmester will officiate the services. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, Ouachita County Hospice or the charity of your choice. To sign the online guest registry, visit www. proctorfuneralhome.com.

CAVE SPRINGS — Robert Steven Melton, 86, of Cave Springs, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. He was born Sept. 29, 1932, in Hamilton, Texas, to Stevens and Cora Belle Sexton Melton. Robert was always busy working. In his early years he worked in the oil fields, was a farmer, and a draftsmen. Later he owned an antique store and pawnshop. His passion and primary career was construction. Robert owned BAM Construction and was a custom home builder in NWA for many years. In his final working years Robert worked for Habitat for Humanity as the building director for Washington County.

He is survived by five children, Carolyn French, Debbie Ugolini, Charles Haney, Steve Melton and Tammy Martin; and three generations of grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in March of this year, and three sisters.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Venus Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Heritage Funeral Home, online guestbook at obituary at www.heritageofnwa.com.

FARMINGTON — Jane Noble, 89, of Farmington, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in the company of loved ones. Born Norma Jane Broyles on May 18, 1930, and nicknamed Janey, she was the daughter of Eva Kathleen Reed and John (Jack) Kinnibrugh Broyles, both of Farmington.

Janey graduated high school from John Brown Academy in 1946. She attended college at both the University of Arkansas and Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.

On Jan. 11, 1948, Janey married James Valen Paul Hendrix, later known as Doc Hendrix of Farmington Animal Hospital. They lived together 25 years and had three children.

In the 1980s, Janey lived in Tahlequah, Okla., where she designed, wrote and illustrated learning material for the Five Civilized Tribes. This is where she met and married Charles Noble.

In Jane’s long life she excelled in many things. She was an excellent artist, published author, newspaper journalist and editor, poet, historian and Illustrator. Jane was a member of the Writers and Artist Guild, having many articles, books and poems published under the names Janey B Hendrix and Jane Noble. Leaving quite a legacy with special collections to be found in both the University of Arkansas library archives and Pryor Center. She can be found on Google as Janey B Hendrix.

As a historian, Jane wrote the article on Farmington in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Her knowledge of local history has been referenced for use in many historical publications. Jane has also given oral history interviews for universities in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Jane is survived by her three children, John Hendrix and Juliana Hendrix, both of Farmington and Jocelyn Matthews of Fayetteville, as well as six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, best friends Betty Jo Myers and Sue Cantrell and by her brother David Coleman of Farmington.

Jane will be remembered for her beauty, style and intellect by all who had the pleasure to make her acquaintance. Online condolences: www.westfieldchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Garreth Edward Knight: “A true friend and beautiful soul.”

With the peaceful passing of Garreth Knight, the world lost a beautiful, caring soul. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his mother, Diane Knight and his father, Ed Knight; sisters Audrey Carmical and Elizabeth Slape and their children, Dash, Margaret and Luke. He is also survived by grandparents Dale and Margaret Sandberg as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins and hundreds of friends.

His greatest joy was sharing good times with his loved ones. He loved art, music, sports and the next big idea. He was a teacher, a coach, a traveler and could recite the entire script of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and do a mean Hank Hill impersonation. His art began to take off later in life and he loved sharing his work with others.

He was a joyful guy who was loved by many and died far too young. May you rest in peace, bathed in the love of the thousands that your life touched.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Beard’s Funeral Chapel, 855 S. Happy Hollow Road, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Genesis Church, 205 MLK Jr. Blvd., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Burial immediately following at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 1728 E. Mission Blvd., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703.

Celebration of Garreth’s Life Party will be from 2-4 p.m. at Smoke and Barrel, 324 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark.. 72701, following the committal service at the cemetery. Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

HUNTINGTON — Jerry Don Laster, 82, of Huntington, Ark., passed away Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, in his home. He was retired from Ozark Guidance and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7 at McConnell Funeral Home chapel in Greenwood with burial at Liberty Cemetery. Viewing will be Friday from 10 a.m.8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5-7 p.m.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Laster; son Keith Laster of Springdale; daughter Rhonda Devers of Inola, Ark.; sister Ludella Braselton of Mulberry; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Brian Reding, Eric Reding, John Reding, Mark Reding, Jim Devers and Brett Laster. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.

MARIANNA — Rebecca Lynn Johnson Daggett passed away in her home in Marianna on Aug. 30, 2019, at age 72. Becca was preceded in death by her parents Normie and Mary Louise Johnson and brother William E. Johnson.

Becca is survived and remembered by her husband Doddridge M. Daggett; son Jimason Daggett (Kate) of Double Oak, Texas; son Benjamin Daggett of Millington, Tenn.; daughter Mary Beth (Jesse) Simpson of Fayetteville, Ark.; sister Norma Sue Switzer (Bruce) of Crossett, Ark.; grandchildren Jackson, Dylan and Cole Daggett of Double Oak, Texas, and Layla, Jesse and Eli Simpson of Fayetteville, Ark.

Becca was born in Crossett, Ark., on Oct. 21, 1946. After graduating from Crossett High School in 1964, she attended the University of Arkansas where she received a degree in elementary education. In Fayetteville, she met and later married her husband of 52 years Dodd. She also found the other love of her life, the Arkansas Razorbacks. She was a devoted Hog fan and enjoyed hosting tailgate parties and attending games with family and friends.

Throughout her life, Becca had a passion for helping children especially the underprivileged in Lee County. She founded and volunteered as the director of Funfest, a summer recreation program that not only provided affordable youth enrichment activities for kids but also desperately needed summer jobs for teens and college students.

She was also instrumental in integrating Little League baseball for all children Lee County. She was the organizing force between Marianna and Kids Across America Kamps for urban youth in Branson, Mo., for over 20 years. Through her grant writing and fundraising, hundreds of local kids were able to have their first overnight camp experience and hear the Gospel message.

Becca was an active mem- ber of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church serving in various roles throughout her life. She served on the church vestry, with Women of the Church, and as the EYC youth leader for many years. She helped found a church clothes closet that would go on to become Local United Volunteers (LUV), a successful thrift store and charity where she volunteered and served on the board for many years.

Becca served as first mate aboard Vesper Light for 13 years as she and Dodd sailed extensively in Florida and the Caribbean during retirement. They explored many towns and harbors as they cruised, and Becca enjoyed collecting artwork, shells and mementos from their travels. Becca found beauty in nature and took pleasure in the breathtaking sunsets from the cockpit of their sailboat.

Becca was a devoted Mimi to her six grandchildren. She delighted in giving them candy, covering them with hugs and kisses, and making cookies with them. Becca loved to entertain family and friends in her home and was an amazing southern cook and hostess.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Marianna, Ark., on Sept. 7, 2019, at 3 p.m. with a reception immediately following in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Becca’s honor.

ROGERS — Christina Eve Burgess, 50, of Rogers passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. She was born Dec. 24, 1968, in Gravette.

Christina was preceded by her grandparents, step-mother Nina Burgess and brother Larry Youngblood.

For many years she made travel arrangements for Walmart executives. In her spare time she enjoyed watching old Westerns on TV, collecting thimbles, cow figurines and listening to the Moody Blues.

Survivors include her father, Don Burgess of Garfield; sisters April Monk (Shawn) and Melissa Lowery of Centerton, Sandra Draper and Angela Elliott of Rogers and Andrea James (George) of Hope; brothers Jackie Youngblood (Kim) of Garfield and David Youngblood of Gentry; 15 nieces and nephews; many extended family members and dear friends.

Her graveside funeral service and interment will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Walnut Hill Cemetery near Garfield. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Condolences may be expressed at www.RollinsFuneral.com.

SPRINGDALE — Priscilla Leigh McCuen, age 43, passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Trinity Fellowship at 1100 E. Rolling Hills Dr., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703. To place an online tribute and view full obituary, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

SPRINGDALE — Gabriel Ray, 59, of Springdale, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. He was born Nov. 12, 1959, in Harlem, New York, to Ernest Rhodes and Johnetta Ray. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, Mission Boulevard Baptist Church, Fayetteville. Service 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. Interment 11 a.m. Monday at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Online obituary and guestbook at www.heritageofnwa.com.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Emilie Bell Giles of Leavenworth, Kan., passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. Survivors include her husband Don Giles; daughter Sarah Smartt and husband Jeremy, along with grandson Liam Smartt. Funeral will be Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Prairie Grove Cemetery. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.